NPR calls Houston the face of America's future

By Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle

Updated 1:02 pm, Monday, July 1, 2013

NPR highlights jobs, the fast-growing Asian population and the Houston Ship Channel in their report. Look through the slideshow for other key things to know about Houston.
Photo: Lightkey, E+/Getty

NPR highlights jobs, the fast-growing Asian population and the...

1. Homes are selling in a flash: The housing market is booming in the Houston area because of the amount of available jobs. So you better act fast if you see something you like. Photo: David Hopper/Staff

3. A growing beer culture: Craft beer is growing in popularity across the U.S., and Houston is among the bright spots. The area has added a half dozen breweries in the past few years. Photo: Alison Cook/Chronicle

4. Food scene: Houston’s food scene is exploding. High-class restaurants are popping up around the city and local chefs are raking in honors, making a name for the city’s culinary chops. Photo: Houston Chronicle

5. Potholes: You’ll have a rude awakening if you expected smooth roads. Roads inside the Loop are littered with potholes, including some large enough to swallow a Mini. Photo: Nick de la Torre/Chronicle

6. Construction, construction and construction: Because Houston is constantly growing, you’ll hardly find a major highway or street that isn’t undergoing some kind of construction or road improvement. Photo: Karen Warren/Chronicle

7. Concert space rivals New York: It isn’t a secret for Houstonians, but it might come as a surprise to outsiders. Houston has one of the largest capacities for live entertainment in the country. J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle

8. Masters of the pre-built communities: There might be a cache to living inside the Loop, but Houston has some of the best master-planned communities in the nation. The Woodlands, Riverstone and Bridgeland are three of the eight communities recently recognized. Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

9. Education stacks up nationally: Two Houston schools were ranked on US News & World’s high school rankings for 2012. Carnegie Vanguard and DeBakey High School for Health Professions, both in the Houston Independent School District, ranked 17th and 26th in the nation. Photo by R. Clayton McKee

10. What's zoning?: You are probably used to some kind of zoning laws. But Houston is a little odd with its policies. You’ll notice a little bit of everything in your neighborhood. Photo: Johnny Hanson/Chronicle

11. Traffic is among the worst: Houston’s traffic routinely ranks among the worst in the nation. A recent Texas A&M study found Houstonians spend 52 hours a year commuting to and from work. Photo: Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

12. Speaking of that commute ... it might cost you: The state’s budget and the dwindling gasoline tax isn’t enough to pay for the miles of new roads and freeways needed to deal with population growth. As a result, you might prepare yourself to spend hundreds on the area’s tollways. Photo: Johnny Hanson/Chronicle

13. Cultural diversity: New York City might get all the attention for its diversity, but Houston also ranks among the most diverse cities in the U.S. Because of that, you’ll find all kinds of different food and cultural opportunities. Photo: Mayra Beltran/Chronicle

14. Houston does churches big: Religion is big in the South, and few might do it bigger than Houston. The city has some of the biggest churches in the nation, including Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, which has one of the largest congregations in the nation. Photo: Nick de la Torre/Chronicle

15. Jobs, jobs and more jobs: The energy sector is taking the lead in creating thousands of jobs to the Houston area, making it a destination for job seekers. Once here, you likely won’t have trouble finding your next job in the Bayou City. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

16. Salaries are climbing: The job market is good enough that it is also forcing employers to give employees bigger bonuses and larger salaries than other parts of the country. Photo: Eddie Seal/Bloomberg

16. Salaries are climbing: The job market is good enough that it is...

17. Never speak ill of the energy sector: You might not be a fan fracking or offshore drilling, but the industry is one of the biggest keys to the city’s success. You’ll be reminded about the importance of the industry by the numerous buildings and events adorned with their logos. Photo: James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle

18. Heat, humidity and rain, oh my: The weather can be a bit unpredictable, and the humidity could easily be classified as oppressive. You’ll also want to make sure and stash an umbrella in your car. Photo: Julio Cortez/Chronicle

20. Health care system is huge: The energy sector might be the king industry in the area, but the health care system is just as important and recognized around the world. Photo: Johnny Hanson/Chronicle

20. Health care system is huge: The energy sector might be the king...

21. Downtown is like an ant farm: You won’t see many people walking in downtown Houston because most are underground in the tunnels. It might feel weird, but you’ll get used to it. Photo: File/Houston Chronicle

23. Crime rates: Houston’s got crime issues. Hey, we’re a big city, it happens. The number of murders inside of the city went up slightly in 2012, according to FBI stats. Photo: Johnny Hanson/Chronicle

25. Taxes: If you are coming from outside Texas borders, you’ll be happy to hear that we don’t have a state income tax. Houston also ranks among the places with the lowest total tax burden. Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg